Search results

Similarly, as a consumer, partner, developer, wouldn't it be nice if they could just be clear where they are experimenting, where it's a product and where it ties into with a larger vision. After all, between pivoting between labs, beta and NOT, they render these boundaries somewhat meaningless...

First off, I think that it's great that Google is iterating Gmail, and actually improving a product versus rolling out yet another one-off. It does, though, beg the question: Is Gmail the new Wave, as I thought that Wave was destined to be the new Gmail? Similarly, wouldn't Reader be better...

P.S. There's also a great, related Buzz announcement for Mobile, which shows off Google's platform thinking. On the mobile phone, Buzz is automatically "snapped" to your location, also using metrics like time of day to figure out the most relevant location (e.g. during the day you might be at...

Google has also done a terrific job of giving inline preview to links you share. This is especially awesome for photos and videos. The inline slideshows are terrific - actually better than you get in most native photo or video sharing apps. And I love that you can share a Flickr link as easily...

In some ways, Gmail Buzz brings many of the benefits of Google Wave to Gmail. Every Buzz item can be turned into a conversation (much as in Wave or Friendfeed.) People can comment on your Buzz, comment on your comments, or @ reply you. Sure, it lacks the hyper-cool wiki-style shared editing...

There's a real lesson here for anyone who wants to enter a crowded market: play to your strengths. Think through what job that hot new startup does for its users. Don't copy what they look like. Apply what they've taught you to your own business. There are real benefits to using email as a...

I've always found it perplexing that vendors who manage pieces of our communications network for us - our email, IM, and phone - have failed to build social networking features into their products. Google is clearly now tackling that job, increasingly making its communication products into a...

Buzz items can be shared directly in Gmail, but are also pulled in from other social sharing sites, including Twitter, Picasa, YouTube, and Flickr. What's particularly cool is that the people you "follow" are auto-generated for you out of your email-based social network. If you communicate with...

When I first heard about Google Buzz, I was worried that I might be seeing the birth of another "me too" product. After all, everyone wants a piece of the Twitter halo. But with the release of Buzz today, you can see how Google has taken the social media lessons of Twitter and applied them to...

Update: We've updated this post to emphasize that there are a few instances where Google does allow users to opt-out of inadvertently publishing a list of the people they email and chat with most. We continue to believe these chances to opt-out do not force the user to make a real choice about...

A Google spokesperson tells us the followers lists are public by default so that people can quickly find new people to follow. Obviously, that's a good thing for Google, which is hoping to get as many people using Google Buzz as soon as possible. It's also meant to be helpful for users. And for...

A Google spokesperson tells us the followers lists are public by default so that people can quickly find new people to follow. Obviously, that's a good thing for Google, which is hoping to get as many people using Google Buzz as soon as possible. It's also meant to be helpful for users. And for...

The whole point is: Google should just ask users: "Do you want to follow these people we've suggested you follow based on the fact that you email and chat with them? Warning: This will expose to the public who you email and chat with most." Google should not let users proceed to using Buzz...

When you first post to Google Buzz, there is a dialogue box that reads "Before participating in Buzz, you need a public profile with your name and photo." It also says -- albeit in tiny gray letters against a white background, "Your profile includes your name, photo, people you follow, and...

When you first go into Google Buzz, it automatically sets you up with followers and people to follow. A Google spokesperson tells us these people are chosen based on whom the users emails and chats with most using Gmail. That's fine. The problem is that -- by default -- the people you follow...

Now, not all current Gmail users have Buzz integrated yet into their Gmail account, but they’re rolling it out to everyone as quick as they can. I honestly don’t know if I’ll use Buzz at all. There’s always a “new” thing with Google and until I hear that it’s working wonders in some way with...

What Google Buzz allows you to do is share updates, videos, photos, RSS feeds “and more”. If you think this sounds a lot like Facebook you’re right…sort of. The difference between Google Buzz and Facebook is that Google Buzz is integrated into your Gmail account which means that you can share...

By the way – if you are a Google Apps for Enterprise user then watch for when Google introduces Buzz to your service. Make sure you REALLY understand what it will and will not do. The last thing you want is for Buzz to effectively mine and expose your internal contacts list and blast that out to...

Are you shitting me? Apparently not. In the past I have said that Google pays scant attention to creating sensible privacy policies. With Buzz, they’ve blown the whole shaky edifice apart. It seems I may be able to moderate what Buzz exposes. In the last two hours, Google says that 10 more...

Now – don’t get me wrong. I like my friends. A lot. But I’m buggered if I need or want to know their EVERY movement on the Internet. I’m pretty sure the same feeling is reciprocated. But it gets worse. According to Silicon Valley Insider: The problem is that — by default — the people you...